stumble

To stumble is to make a mistake, but you can also use this word when a person falls or is just about to fall.

• He stumbled around on his skates before he learned how to balance himself.
• I stumbled over a loose piece of carpeting.
• A two-year-old toddler stumbled, fell, and landed on her head.
• Pete and Bill stumbled into the bar just before it closed.

This word is often used when people make mistakes:

• Sue often stumbles over her words.
• The vice president of the company stumbled too many times, so he was demoted.
• If you stumble, keep trying. Don’t give up.

When you find something by surprise or accident, you can use "stumble."

• Wendy stumbled upon a big sale at Macy’s. (She didn’t know it was happening.)
• Jerry has stumbled into yet another bad situation.

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Published on August 23, 2014